With my increasing interest in spirituality for those in the autumn of our earthly life, I come across heartbreaking stories and meet some wonderful people whose lives are impacted by wasting diseases or other tragedies. One thing I have learned is that the immovable horizon is always Christ, and it is to that horizon I must turn and fix my gaze if I am to manage to make it through my mortal experience. I am moved and often at a loss as I read letters and meet people whose circumstances are beyond explanation. If God is good and loves us, why, for goodness’ sake, is there so much pain?

In the back garden, my great neighbour Jim, who has wonderful DIY skills, helped me build a gazebo. I now spend large amounts of time, suitably wrapped up against the weather, sitting quietly gazing at the skies as dawn breaks upon the horizon. It always reminds me that light will push back the darkness, although waiting for those first rays of light can seem like forever. Blink or doze and I miss that first kiss of light. The same skies have seen the worst episodes of inhuman behaviour while smiling upon the happiest moments in all of history.

As I sit and gaze at the changing, yet permanent, sky above me, I can recall just how infinitesimally small my own mortal reality is. I’m quietly reminded that God’s invitation is that I rejoice with others, and also weep with them, not for my own woes, but for the serious injustice and brutality that constitutes their experience of life.

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